AIDE MEMOIRE FIRST GUYANA - EUROPEAN COMMISSION ...

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AIDE MEMOIRE

FIRST GUYANA - EUROPEAN COMMISSION NEGOTIATION SESSION ON A

FOREST, LAW ENFORCEMENT, GOVERNANCE AND TRADE [FLEGT], VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT [VPA]

5 December, 2012, Georgetown, Guyana

Introduction

1. The first Guyana - European Commission Negotiation session on a Forest Law Enforcement,

Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) was held on 5

December 2012 in Georgetown, Guyana. The meeting was officially opened by Commissioner

James Singh from the Guyana Forestry Commission.

2. The session was co-chaired by Commissioner James Singh from the Guyana Forestry

Commission and Cristiana Pasca-Palmer, Head of Unit (Climate change, Environment, Natural

resources, Water), Directorate General Development and Cooperation, European Commission

(EC). A list of the delegates is presented in Annex 1.

Agenda Item 1: Opening Statements

Opening Statement by Guyana

3. Commissioner James Singh, in his opening remarks, welcomed the European Union Delegation

and confirmed Guyana´s commitment to the VPA process. He expressed that the decision to

enter into formal negotiations with the EU on an EU FLEGT VPA was informed by an extensive

period of stakeholder consultation and engagement in Guyana. He provided background on the

forest sector and forest governancein Guyana. Key aspects highlighted included: a commitment

to low carbon development, a maintained low rate of deforestation and forest degradation,

legality, sustainable forest management as serving the needs of the people of Guyana. He further

outlined that efforts have been taken at the legislative, policy and operational levels to continually

strengthen and update forest management systems.

Commissioner James Singh further explained current systems in place including Guyana’s

successful implementation of inter alia a forest management framework, monitoring systems both

in place and operational within the country, as well as Guyana’s engagement in third-party

monitoring activities. He emphasised the need for the VPA to build on existing systems in place at

country level, to be locally appropriate and to serve the needs of the people of Guyana.

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Opening statement by the European Commission:

4. Cristiana Pasca-Palmer thanked Guyana for its commitments towards responsible management

of natural resources and noted that discussions with Guyana on FLEGT have been on-going

since 2009. She highlighted the remarkable fact that Guyana is not only the first Caribbean

country but also the first on the continent of South America, to enter into VPA negotiations. It was

emphasised that although markets are changing in light of recent initiatives directed at ensuring

the legality of timber and timber products (i.e. the European Timber Regulation (EUTR), the Lacey

Act (US), and similar initiative in Australia and elsewhere), Guyana is, with its entering into the

VPA process, signalling to the market that it seeks to further ensure the practice of strong forest

legality, its credibility and be a market competitor.

5. Guyana was reminded thatthe VPA process is a voluntary process through which the EC is

offering a partnership to develop the VPA that is realistic, practicable and implementable.

Cristiana Pasca-Palmer further noted that the EC is pleased with the establishment of the

National Technical Working Group (NTWG) as broad consultations with stakeholders are critical

during the VPA process. It was further stressed that Guyana already has an operational

verification system in place which can serve as a sound basis for developing the Legality

Assurance System as contemplated under the VPA.

Agenda Item 2: Agreement on draft agenda and session modalities (negotiation

minutes, public report)

6. The National Technical Working Group (NTWG) will be leading the process of negotiations from

the Guyana side and has identified the GFC to speak on behalf of the Group. The GFC may

invite, based on the matter under discussion, a member of the National Technical Working Group

or any Stakeholder Constituency Group to make a presentation.

Guyana expressed its wishes that the NTWG be present during all negotiations, both technical

and formal sessions.

7. It was agreed that reports and notes related to the negotiation process will be made public after

joint agreement between Guyana and the EC. An aide memoire of the first negotiation session

meeting will be drafted by the European Commission and submitted to Guyana.

8. The EC stated that formal negotiation session should alternate between Georgetown, Guyana

and Brussels, Belgium. Although supportive of alternating negotiation sessions, Guyana raised

concerns around current budget and other constraints in ensuring that around 18-20 people from

Guyana travel to Brussels: this would include approximately 14 representatives from the NTWG

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and 5 to 7 representatives from GFC. As such, Guyana expressed that it is the preference for the

majority of negotiations session to be held in Guyana, to allow for maximised Guyanese

counterpart contribution. Although in principle there was agreement in alternating negotiation

sessions between Georgetown and Brussels, Guyana emphasized the significant challenge in

being able to secure financing to enable the Guyana team to attend the next negotiation session

in Brussels, scheduled for mid 2013.

9. In terms of approaches to the formal negotiation sessions, Guyana and EU agreed to have

longer technical sessions followed by shorter formal sessions.

10. It was agreed for purposes of good governance, transparency and inclusiveness, that the EC will

make its best efforts to include the nominated representative of the NTWG at local meetings

coordinated by the EC, on the EU FLEGT Guyana VPA. For meetings that take place out of

Guyana and other exceptional cases, it was agreed that the NTWG, should be apprised by the

EU, of proceedings and matters raised, in a timely manner. It was further agreed that Guyana

and the EC will endeavour to discuss any matters arising from such meetings, in a manner that

allows for open and inclusive discussions on relevant areas to the EU FLEGT Guyana VPA.

Agenda Item 3: Guyana’s expectationsin respect of the VPA and aspects that need to

be addressed.

11. Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) proceeded to present the roadmap for the negotiations and

reiterated that the VPA must build on, and strengthen existing systems in place in Guyana and be

in line with current strategies and priorities of Guyana. Guyana expressed that its vision for the

VPA is: “To further develop and strengthen Guyana’s existing framework for forest legality and

sustainable forest management in a manner consistent with national priorities, and which

enhances Guyana’s forest products’ market opportunities”. Further, Guyana expressed that its

main objective that it aims to achieve through the VPA is: “To provide a forest legality framework

which supports sustainable forest management and trade, whilst improving Guyana’s access to

international forest products markets”.

12. Guyana explained that the VPA negotiations should be seen as a vehicle to build on current

Guyanese legality verification systems to get better access to international markets. Forest

legality is seen as one part of sustainable forest management.

13. Guyana proposed that the VPA initially only cover exports to the EUfor agreed forest products,

with the possibility of extending its application to non-EU markets at a later stage. It further

stressed that the development of the VPA should recognize inter alia the operational structure

and legal requirements of Amerindians, miners, state forest operators (both small and large forest

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concession holders), and other key actors. It must further also take into account multiple land

uses (mining, forestry, other) prevalent in the country. Guyana indicated that it is its preference for

the VPA for Guyana to include directly, exports only, since the domestic market will be indirectly

included as part of the chain of custody process.

14. Guyana considers communication as an essential component of the VPA process: a

communication strategy will be developed through an engagement process inclusive of multiple

stakeholders. The objectives which will be to target the beneficial stakeholder groups, should be

mindful of Guyana topography and costs of travel, should be appropriate to the local culture and

languages. The communication strategy must target and be beneficial to wider range of

stakeholder groups and be mindful of the countries topography, travel costs and other related

aspects in the approaches used. As such, it must also be executed in a manner that would enable

easy interpretation and understanding by local and indigenous communities. Capacity building

may form an integral part of the process. Guyana expressed that financing for the development of

the strategy as well as for its execution, is needed.

15. With specific reference to the development of the LAS, Guyana highlighted the following

intentions regarding the Legality Definition (LD), the Supply Chain Controls as well as Licensing:In

respect of the LD and its development it was stated that the LD will be defined after due

consultation with stakeholders with a view of also determining what is applicable to each

stakeholder group. The application of the VPA for Amerindian communities will depend on the

legality definition which will developed for the purpose of the VPA and this will be reflective of the

current relevant laws relating to Indigenous Peoples, in Guyana.The link between the VPA and

small scale loggers will depend on the legality definition, and is expected to be largely reflective of

existing relevant legal and operational requirements specific to this scale of forest operation.The

VPA process will embrace the complexity and the potential areas of conflict between different

land uses. Guyana further stated that the LD should, in addition tothe relevant sections of the

various laws applicable within the forestry context, integrate existing mechanisms such as the

Independent Forest Monitoring as well as other relevant mechanisms. In respect of the Chain of

Custody (CoC) system, Guyana expressed the need to review and build on existing systems in

place (i.e. log tracking, export procedures, removal and other procedures). Similar considerations

apply to both the verification approaches as well as licensing.

16. In terms of products to be included into the VPA, Guyana identified product codes 4403, 4406,

4407, 4408, 4409, 4412 as those that will be discussed by Guyana for inclusion in the VPA. Also,

in respect of the Independent Audit,an audit plan (criteria and scope) has to be jointly decided on

and sources of funding for such an audit will need to be explored. Guyana also proposed

conducting an impact analysis as part of its development process of the VPA: this analysis will

inter alia, identify gaps, risks, cost implications and other critical aspects needed to effectively

develop an appropriate VPA in Guyana.

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Agenda Item 4: EU expectations for the process.

17. The European Commission thanked Guyana for highlighting its expectations and stressed the

importance of due consideration of the implementation process to follow during the negotiations

process. It noted that this is a partnership which relies on mutual trust between the parties: the EC

has a vast amount of experience in VPA negotiation and implementation and is willing to share its

experiences.

18. The EC stressed that the agreement and the VPA negotiation process should be credible. The

importance of in country consensus building was emphasised. Stakeholders will implement

something that they buy in. However Guyana stressed the cost implications of any stakeholder

process and pointed the Guyana financial constraints.

19. The EC emphasizedthe need to strike a balance between extended stakeholder processes and a

timely negotiation process: the expectation from the EC, based on past experiences, was to move

towards the end of negotiations within 2 years.

Agenda Item 5: Presentation by the European Commission on the VPA framework and

the processes that can help develop it in full.

20. The European Commission presented on the VPA framework which essentially establishes a

licensing scheme for timber exports to the EU. The European Commission proceeded to explain

the VPA agreement including its purpose, scope, objectives and content. In addition to discussing

the general conditions as provided for in the standard VPA template, the European Commission

detailed the various Annexes to the agreement and their content.

21. The Annexes to the VPA describe the LAS and various country specific aspects of the agreement.

The Annex list includes:

- Annex 1: product coverage. These include 6 minimum (mandatory) categories plus those

identified by the partner country;

- Annex 2: the legality definition (a subset of the country laws agreed upon) covering all titles

and sources of timber to be exported to the EU;

- Annex 3: Conditions governing the release for free circulation in the Union of timber products

exported from Guyana and covered by a FLEGT license

- Annex 4: Requirements and technical specifications for FLEGT licenses;

- Annex5: Description of the Legality Assurance System (LAS);

- Annex 6: Independent Audit (IA). During the negotiations, the ToR for the Independent Audit

will be discussed by both parties;

- Annex7: The VPA implementation schedule (dates for theinitialling, ratification, co-signing,

entry into force, set up of JIC, development, issuance of the first FLEGT licence), which are

the main milestones of implementation;

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- Annex 8: VPA supporting measures. This is not a financial commitment, but recognizing by

both parties that specific measures such as capacity building might be needed;

- Annex 9: Criteria for assessing the LAS. A third party will check if the system is operational.

The ToR will be developed by both parties.

- Annex 10: Transparency and communication: elements that should be public.

- Annex 11: Joint implementation Committee (JIC) and activities.

22. It was noted that if other requirements or ideas are developed during negotiations, which are not

specifically covered by the Annexes outlined above, more annexes can be added. If, after the

entry into force of the agreement, a change is made to an annex, there is no need for ratification:

ratification will only be required if changes are made to the text of the main agreement. In order to

effect a change to an Annex, Guyana needs to put the proposed change on the agenda of the

Joint Implementation Committee (JIC). The VPA establishes a JIC which will consist of

representatives of both Guyana and the EU with the main purpose to monitor and oversee the

implementation of the Agreement. The proposed change will then be considered during the JIC

meeting and if accepted by all parties, the change will be made in the annex. Guyana proposed

for there to be a provision written into the Annexes on a five year review of the VPA and asked

whether this would be possible. Guyana expressed that the main intent of the review will be to

incorporate lessons learned and experiences of early implementation. The EU indicated that this

would be possible in the framework of the JIC monitoring activities. Guyana expressed that with

regards to the EU’s outline of the JIC, that Guyana would have to further discuss the modalities of

implementation that will be done by reflecting on the structures used by other countries for this

purpose, and with an objective to ensure local ownership of the process.

Agenda Item 6: Presentation by Guyana on the legal framework pertaining to forestry

and existing timber legality verification system(s).

23. The presentation focused on the forest legality framework and existing timber legality verification

systems in Guyana, presenting the legal framework, the policy framework, the operational

framework, the guidelines and codes, and the operational procedures.

24. Similarly Guyana explained its log tracking system, including its history, product identification

methods, structure (partial manual, partial electronic), future improvements, transport procedure

and documents associated with the system. Guyanaexplained further the various operating

procedures of the system and interaction between the system components.

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25. The EC acknowledged progress made towards the VPA readiness through systems in place and

congratulated Guyana on the same. It was agreed that EFI will visit Guyana during the first

quarter of 2013 to better understand the system vis-a-vis the VPA and its requirements.

Agenda Item 7: Discussions on interim measures that can be considered to facilitate

ease in trade of Guyana’s forest products to the EU following March 2013.

26. Guyana expressed the concern on how to react or respond to the upcoming entry into force of the

EUTR and whether Guyana’s existing system could be used as an interim measure for purposes

of the EUTR. Guyana also requested for a study visit to be accommodated by the EC, with the

main objective of Guyana learning more about the practical implementation of routine EU timber

import processes.

27. The EC indicated that the current regulations do not outline interim measure in this regard. The

EC affirmed that the enteringinto VPA negotiations is a positive signal to the market, with a

comparative advantage. The current system, however, may provide a measure of guarantee to

EU operators: nevertheless, operators may be required to supply additional information. The EC

stressed that once the VPA is operational, FLEGT licenses will be sufficient for purposes of the

EUTR. The EC responded that a study visit, as requested by Guyana, will be possible in the

margins of a negotiation session.

28. There is a need for Guyana to reflect on a communication strategy that can provide comfort to

their exporters, especially since Guyana already has a system in place.

Agenda Item 8: Next steps and presentation by Guyana on the draft roadmap for the

VPA negotiations and the development of the VPA content and other aspects.

29. It was agreed that as it is a common goal to have the VPA ratified by September 2015, the last

negotiation session should take place around the last quarter of 2014, or, at the latest, during the

first quarter of 2015.The tentative schedule for the negotiation sessions has been agreed as

follows:

- The second negotiation session in Brussels during July 2013, the venue to be dependent on

financing availability to fund Guyana’s negotiations team attendance;

- The third negotiation session in Georgetown during December 2013;

- The fourth negotiation session in Brussels during May or June 2014, the venue to be

dependent on financing availability to fund Guyana’s negotiations team attendance;

- The fifth negotiation session in Georgetown during December 2014 (or early 2015).

- A sixth negotiation session is not foreseen for the moment: “Wrapping-up” of the VPA could

be done by videoconference and email.

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30. A joint roadmap for VPA negotiations is in Annex 3. Both parties agreed that the presented

roadmap was tentative and that the negotiations should start with technical sessions during the

first half of 2013. It was agreed that negotiations will be an iterative process. The annexes and the

VPA text will be drafted continuously.

31. For purposes of the technical sessions (possibly through VCs), Guyana stated that the VC will be

led by GFC but thatthe NTWG will be represented. Both parties agreed that the document should

be made available one week before VC and two weeks before negotiation session, to allow for

their revisions.

32. The EC stated that no direct funding would be provided by the EC for the negotiation process but

that the EC could support Guyana’s requests for funding to other donors. Guyana expressed that

the successful implementation of the VPA is dependent on financing and pointed to examples of

sources already being explored for financing.

33. Guyana reaffirmed that the composition of its negotiation team: the core group will be composed

of GFC, the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services

Association (GMSA) and the Forest Products Association (FPA). If a particular stakeholder or

stakeholder group feels strongly that he/she/it should participate, they will be accommodated to

the extent possible. During the negotiations, the Guyana side could be represented by up to 20

persons.

34. Regarding the impact assessment study proposed by Guyana, the EC suggested that EFI could

be involved. The EC further highlighted that EFI may have the financial flexibility for some studies

that could support the negotiation process.

35. It was further agreed that Guyana will sharethe elements of their communication strategy withthe

EC and EFI.

Closing statements

36. Both Guyana and the EC expressed their appreciation and agreed that the discussionswere not

only fruitful, but were held in a very cooperative and constructive manner. Both parties agreed

that stakeholder involvement was key and that the VPA should build on existing systems and, as

far as possible, avoid imposing additional burdens on the various stakeholders. Both parties also

agreed that it is the joint expectation, that productive and harmonious trade relations between

Guyana and the EU will continue.

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Press conference

37. A joint press conference was held at the conclusion of the session. The press conference was

attended by Joslyn Mackenzie, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the

Environment, Commissioner James Singh from the GFC, and Cristiana Pasca-Palmer and John

Bruneval from the EC.

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ANNEX 1:

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

A) Guyana team

1. James Singh – Guyana Forestry Commission

2. Anthony Yung – Representative of Guyana’s Forest Products Exporters to the EU

3. Derrick John – Chairperson, National Toshaos’ Council

4. Eusi Anderson – Ministry of Legal Affairs

5. Gavin Agard – Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment

6. Peter Khalawan – Forest Products Association

7. Laura Singh – Forest Products Development and Marketing Council Inc.

8. Mohindra Chand – Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association

9. Raj Singh - Forest Products Development and Marketing Council Inc.

10. TasleenDrepaul – Representative of Small Loggers

11. Yvonne Pearson – Ministry of Amerindian Affairs

12. Stanley Phillips – Guyana Revenue Authority

Guyana Forestry Commission Support Staff:

1. PradeepaBholanath

2. Tasreef Khan

3. Kenny David

4. Ruslin Richards

5. AlandiaWarde

6. Jacy Archibald

B) European Union team

1. Cristiana Pasca-Palmer, EuropeanCommission (Brussels)

2. John Bruneval, EuropeanCommission (Brussels)

3. Emilie Goransson, European Commission (Brussels)

4. Joachim Jakobsen, EU Delegation (Georgetown)

5. Morne van der Linde, European Forest Institute

6. Didier Devers, European Forest Institute

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Annex 2: Agenda

Proposal for the Agenda for the launch of negotiations of a FLEGT Partnership Agreement between Guyana and the European Union on

Wednesday December 5, 2012, Georgetown, Guyana

Agenda Item No.

Time Agenda Item

Morning Session

1 9:15am – 9:25am Opening Statement

2 9:25am – 9:30am Agree draft agenda and session modalities (negotiation minutes, public report).

3 9:30am – 10:15am Expectations: presentation by Guyana on the objectives it wishes to achieve in the Agreement and the issues which Guyana would like to see addressed in the VPA. Followed by discussions.

4 10:15am – 10:45am Expectations: presentation by the EU on the expectations for the process. Followed by discussions (to be oriented on main principles).

Break 10:45am – 11:00am Break

5 11:00am – 11:20am Presentation by the European Commission on the framework of the VPA (Objective and Structure) and the processes that can help develop it in full. Followed by discussions.

6 11:20am – 12:20pm

Presentation(s) by Guyana on legal framework pertaining to forestry and existing timber legality verification system(s). Followed by discussions.

Lunch 12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch

Afternoon Session

7 1:30pm – 2:30pm Discussions on interim measures that can be considered to facilitate ease in trade of Guyana’s forest products to the EU following March 2013.

8 2:30pm – 3:15pm Next steps: presentation by Guyana on the draft roadmap for the VPA negotiations and the development of the VPA contents (including stakeholder consultation process, roles and responsibilities). Discussion on negotiation modalities (meetings, VCs, venue…), consultation process, communication. Followed by discussions.

9 3:15pm – 3:30pm Closing Statements.

Break Break

10 4:30pm – 5:00pm Press Conference

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ANNEX 3:

Joint Roadmap for Guyana – EU FLEGT VPA Negotiations

Points to Note:

1. Joint Technical meetings can be conducted via teleconference, video conference, and

supported via email communication.

2. For technical areas of work that are proposed to be finalised by a specified timeline, these

may be subject to changes at a later date up to the point of finalising of the agreement; and

will be supported by appropriate justification.

3. For Negotiation Meetings 4-5, although not detailed in the table below, technical meetings

will be scheduled and agreed on, to inform these and to conduct technical work in

preparation for these sessions.

4. Activities identified for the post ratification stage, are not presented in the table below, and

these would be subject to discussions through the process.

Overview:

The Joint Roadmap below presents a summary of the negotiations and technical meetings, as well as

a detailed breakdown of activities that will be jointly executed over the course of the negotiation

process, to inform the negotiation session and the finalising of the VPA.

2012 2013 2014 2015

No. Negotiation Elements

Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

1 Negotiation Meeting 1





6 Wrap up/ Conclusion Meeting

7 Initialing of VPA

8 Ratification process, including signature

9 Entry into force of VPA

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Activities Tentative Sub Activities Tentative

Completion

Date

Tentative Key Milestones

Negotiation

Meeting 1

Hold Negotiation Meeting and Joint

Press Conference:

- Initial Presentation on VPA Structure

and Objectives

- Introduction to Guyana’s Legality

Framework and Existing Timber

Legality Verification System

- Joint roadmap on negotiations

December

2012

Joint Aide Memoire of

Meeting

Conduct Pre Negotiation Meeting December

2012

Meeting Summary

Conduct Initial Field Visit December

2012

Field Visit Agenda

Develop and Finalise Roadmap on

Negotiations Elements.

January

2013

Final Joint Roadmap for

Guyana – EU FLEGT VPA

negotiations

Preparatory

Activities to

inform

Negotiation

Meeting 2

Joint Technical Meeting 1:

- VPA Structure and Objectives. Draft

section of VPA on VPA Objective.

- Initial Discussion on Compliance

Framework.

- Initial Discussion on Scope of

Agreement (includes product

coverage)

February

2013

(week 1)

VPA Objectives for

Guyanadocumented.

Initial Compliance framework

developed.

Summary of initial discussions

on Scope of VPA.


- Further Discussion on Compliance

Framework

- Initial Discussion on Definition of

Legality

- Finalise Discussion on Scope of

Agreement (includes product

coverage)

- Drafting of VPA Annex 1: Product

Coverage

March 2013

(week 3)

Summary of initial and further

discussions on Definition of

Legality and Compliance

Framework.

Scope of Agreement finalised,

including outline of product

coverage.

VPA Annex 1 developed.


- Draft legality Definition and

compliance framework (Annex 2).

- Compile first draft on some aspects

May 2013

(week 3)

Legality Definition and

compliance framework

developed in draft, to be

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of Annex 5: LAS.

- Wood Tracking Systems Developed

based on existing systems.

- Discuss verification system.

Commence development of FLEGT

Licensing procedures and structures.

- Discuss and Draft Annex 3: EU

Procedures Port Entry.

further informed by results of

field testing. Annex 2

developed.

First Draft of Annex 5

documented – some aspects.

WTS developed.

Summary of Discussions on

Verification System, FLEGT

licensing procedures and

structures.

Annex 3 developed.

Negotiation

Meeting 2

Hold Negotiation Meeting and Joint

Press Conference

- Presentation on Final VPA Objective

for Guyana

- Presentation on Final Scope of

Agreement (including an outline of

product coverage)

- Presentation on legality definition

and compliance framework (subject

to revision following field test).

Annex 2.

- Presentation on main Elements of

LAS.

- Annex 9 developed.

- Discuss and agree on Wood Tracking

System.

- Discuss and finalise Annex 3: EU

Procedures Port Entry

July 2013

(week 2)


Meeting

VPA Objectives developed.

Agreement on Scope of VPA

(Annex 1).

Annex 2 – Legality Definition

and Compliance Framework

agreed to (subject to findings

of field test)

Main elements of Annex 5

(LAS) and Annex 9 –

(Assessment Criteria for LAS)

finalised and agreed.

WTS agreed to.

Annex 3 agreed.

Preparatory

Activities to

Inform

Negotiation

Meeting 3

Joint Technical Meetings 4 and 5.

- Finalise discussion on verification

system.

- Further discussions on FLEGT Licensing

procedures and structures

- Review and Develop LAS. Draft Annex 9

Assessment Criteria for LAS

- Identify and assess the main social,

economic and environmental impacts

of VPA. Identify Impacts on indigenous

peoples, forest operators, millers,

regulatory agencies, forest sector

employees and other relevant

stakeholders.

Sept 2013

(week 3)

Nov 2013

(week 2)

Verification Protocol and

MoPs developed/revised

Summary of discussions on

FLEGT Licensing Procedures.

Main Elements of LAS

finalised. Annex 9 developed.

Supporting Measures for VPA

identified –Annex 8

developed.

Review draft text of identified

elements of VPA.

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- Draft Annex 8 on additional Measures”

identification of capacity gap.

- Discuss main aspects of Agreement text

including: Licence Verification process

in the EU, Additional measures to

reinforce legality verification,

stakeholder participation, market

visibility and promotion, and

communication.

Preparatory

Activities to

Inform

Negotiation

Meeting 4

Joint technical meetings and agenda to

be determined

Negotiation

Meeting 3

Hold Negotiation Meeting.

Presentation on Verification Protocol

and Manual of Procedures

developed/revised

Presentation on supporting Measures

for VPA identified

Annex 8 on additional measures:

identification of capacity gaps,

developed.

Presentation on main aspects of

Agreement text including: Licence

Verification process in the EU,

Additional measures to reinforce legality

verification, stakeholder participation,

market visibility and promotion, and

communication.

- Further discussions on FLEGT Licensing

procedures and structures

- Review and Develop LAS. Draft Annex 9

on Assessment Criteria for LAS.

- Identify and assess the main social,

economic and environmental impacts

of VPA. Identify Impacts on indigenous

peoples, forest operators, millers,

regulatory agencies, forest sector

employees and other relevant

stakeholders.

Dec 2013 Joint Aide Memoire of

Meeting

Verification Protocol and

MoPs developed and agreed.

Annex 8 finalised and agreed.

Summary of discussions and

agreements on identified

elements and draft text for

sections identified.

Summary of discussions on

FLEGT Licensing Procedures.

Main Elements of LAS

finalised.

Annex 9 developed.

Supporting Measures for VPA

identified – Annex 8

Annex 8 developed

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Preparatory

Activities to

Inform

Negotiation

Meeting 4


be determined

External legality definition review (if

legality definition is mature enough)

Negotiation

Meeting 4

Hold Negotiation Meeting.

Develop LAS in full (to be informed by

changes in legality definition).

Discuss Results of Pilot of LAS

Review Status of body formulated for

implementation of VPA: Annex 11

Review of VPA text

May 2014 Joint Aide Memoire of

Meeting.

All Elements of LAS

developed, Annex 5 on LAS

completed.

Results of Pilot of LAS

Annex 11 on developed.

Review of VPA text

conducted.

Preparatory

Activities to

Inform

Negotiation

Meeting 5


be determined

External paper review of the VPA and its

annexes.

Negotiation

Meeting 5

Hold Negotiation Meeting

Finalise FLEGT licensing procedures and

structures.

Finalise Principles of Independent

Monitoring/Audit

Discuss Results of field test of Legality

Definition

Implementation strategy and schedule

discussed and finalised.

Information disclosure and reporting

aspects discussed and finalised.

Review VPA Text

Dec

2014/Jan

2015


Meeting.

Annex 4 completed – FLEGT

Licensing procedure.

Annex 6 – Principles of

Independent Monitoring

developed.

Finalise Legality Definition if

require changes.

Annex 7 agreed:

Implementation Schedule.

Annex 10 finalised:

information disclosure, etc.

Review conducted.

Close off, Hold negotiation Meeting Jan/Feb Joint Aide Memoire of

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Wrap up

Meeting

Finalise VPA Text

Initialling of VPA, beginning of

ratification process

2015 Meeting

Final VPA text agreed for all

aspects of VPA.

Initialled VPA

Ratification

process,

including

signature of

VPA

Discuss implementation and ratification

processes

Feb/Sept

2015

Signed VPA

GoG/EU Statement issued

Conclusion of

Ratification of

VPA

Ratification completed byGoG and EU Sept 2015 Ratified VPA Enters into force

Discussion on

Next Steps

Prior to

Issuance of

First FLEGT

Licence

National Roll out of LAS Dec 2015 All timber firms operation

under a national LAS

AIDE MEMOIRE FIRST GUYANA - EUROPEAN COMMISSION ...

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Transcript of AIDE MEMOIRE FIRST GUYANA - EUROPEAN COMMISSION ...